Odor control composition and process

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of this invention relates to odor control and more particularly, to a process and composition whereby household, institutional and industrial odors are eliminated wherein these odors are incorporated in a variety of substrates or are emitted from industrial sludges. The odor control composition of this invention is a solution of Chloramine-T which may incorporate a suitable wetting agent. The solutions in this invention may further be buffered. The concentration of the Chloramine-T can be from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent when used. The concentration of the wetting agent can be from about 0.1 to about 5%. The Chloramine-T solutions of this invention are effective over a pH range of 6-14, with a preferred pH range being from 8 to about 9.5.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application of applicationSer. No. 09/957,230 filed Sep. 20, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. now abandon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with odor control technology and moreparticularly with household, institutional and industrial odor control.In accordance with this invention, odors attributed to a wide variety ofhuman, animal and industrial endeavors can be controlled or eliminated.The odor control process of this invention comprises the application ofa solution, of the odor control composition of this invention, to theodor containing substrates, and/or to the industrial waste products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The application of materials and solutions to substrates for purposes ofodor control is common and in fact is thousands of years old, in themost common situation solutions or materials with a pleasant odor areapplied to a substrates, for example, to furniture or carpets. In thepast the most common method of odor control was to apply solutions whichare perfumes to the odor containing substrate. These perfumes did notcontrol the odor but only masked the odor. That is in the prior art theodor was not controlled but instead it was only masked. In contrast inaccordance with the subject invention the troublesome odors are not justmasked but instead they are chemically controlled or eliminated. Thisend is effected by treating the substrate with a solution which containsChloramine-T. With this invention it is possible to eliminate odorsresulting from a wide range of sources such as smoking, animal and humanfluids, mildew, cooking and industrial by products etc. In its broadestterms, this invention relates to the utilization of a particularChloramine-T solution which reacts with odor producing molecules as maybe contained in a substrate or in an industrial waste product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Odor control has been a problem which man has addressed for thousands ofyears, scented or perfumed compositions for odor control are well knownin the prior art. Regardless of the widespread usage of thesecompositions, the problem of effective odor control remains a common andtroublesome problem. This situation results from the fact that the priorart solutions do not control the odorous materials as may be in thesubstrate or part of an industrial waste product. In contrast thecomposition and related process of this invention reacts with theodorous materials as are contained in the substrate or industrialbyproduct and thereby eliminate the same.

The subject invention is concerned with a means whereby undesirableodors can be eliminated by use of the active chlorine in Chloramine-T toreact with the odorous material on a molecular level.

In the preferred embodiment, the odor controlling solution for use inthis invention incorporates Chloramine-T, a wetting agent and abuffering agent. Using the composition and process of this inventionodors in the substrate are eliminated because the odor controllingsolution wets out the substrate allowing the active chlorine moiety andthe moiety backbone to react with the odorous molecules. The odorcontrolling composition comprises a solution of Chloramine-T which maycontain a wetting agent which is compatible with the Chloramine-T. Thewetting agent must not degrade the active chlorine in the Chloramine-T.Preferred wetting agents are generally anionic. In other words thewetting agent in the odor control solution does not degrade the activeCl+ moiety or the backbone moiety which is formed when Chloramine-T goesinto solution. If the Cl+ moiety is degraded the Chloramine-T is lesseffective as an odor control agent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the above discussion this invention is concerned witha process for controlling odors in household, institutional andindustrial applications. Perfumed odor control compositions have beenused for thousands of years however these solutions did not destroy theodorous materials but instead they only mask the odors caused by thesematerials. In contrast to this masking of the troublesome odorousmaterial in the prior art, the composition and process of this inventionreacts with the odorous molecules. In the prior art odor controlcompositions are perfumes wherein the odors are masked with synthetic ornatural essence. In the subject invention, instead of masking the odorwith a perfume, the odor causing molecules are degraded by reaction withthe Cl+ moeity and with the chemical moeity which remains after the Cl+moeity is removed from Chloramine-T. The use of Cl+ is common in odorcontrol, the most common Cl+ producing composition is household bleach.The preferred source of a Cl+ moeity for use in accordance with thisinvention is Chloramine-T.

Chloramine-T is a common trivial name used to describe a variety ofcompounds which are based on N-Sodium, N-chloro-para-toluenesulfonamideand N-Sodium, N-Chloeo-Para Benzenesulfonamide. The preferredChloramine-T for use in this invention is a tri hydrated sodium salthaving the following formula.

As is mentioned above bleach has been commonly used as a source of Cl+cations which are useful as deodorizers. Because of the problemsassociated with the use of bleach, i.e. the discoloration of thesubstrate, it is generally not suitable for use as a deodorizer. Inaddition the Cl+ cation which is produced by bleach is much more ionicwhen compared to the Cl+ cation produced by Chloramine-T. That is whencompared to the Cl+ cation produced by bleach the Cl+ cation producedChloramine T is much more covalent and less ionic. As a result of thiscovalence the side effects produced by the Cl+ cation produced byChloramine-T are not as severe as those produced by bleach. As a resultthe Cl+ cation produced by Chloramine-T can be used to deodorize as itdoes not have side effects such as a strong bleach smell, theundesirable bleaching of the odor containing substrate etc. FurtherChloramine-T is more stable than bleach and has a higher Cl+ activitythan bleach.

When compared to bleach Chloramine-T is a superior deodorizing agent asthe chemical moiety, the backbone, remaining after the Cl+ cation isreleased by Chloramine-T, further reacts with the odor containingmolecule thereby permanently removing it as a potential source of odor.In contrast the chemical moiety which remains after the Cl+ cation isremoved from bleach has no ability to react with odor causing molecules.

Most odor causing molecules are mercaptans, sulfides or amine basedcompounds. Chloramine-T is an excellent agent to eliminate odors whichare mercaptan, sulfide or amine based as both the Cl+ cation produced byChloramine-T and the residual chemical moiety remaining after the Cl+cation is produced, reacts with the odor causing molecule.

In order for Chloramine-T to be effective it must come into contact withthe substance which is responsible for the odor. If the substance whichis responsible for the odor is in an environment which makes accessdifficult i.e. pet stains in a carpet, a means must be provided forbringing the Chloramine-T into contact with the odor causing substance.In many instances when aqueous solution is used as the delivering mediumthe solution tends to bead up on the substrate. Therefore, when thewater component of the solution evaporates the substance in solution isdeposited only in localized areas. In the case at hand if an aqueoussolution of Chloramine-T were applied to a carpet containing pet stains,the solution would bead up on the carpet, such that when the waterevaporated the placement of the Chloramine-T on the carpet would bespotty. Due to this poor placement the two reactive components of theChloramine-T would not be in position to react with all of the odorcausing substance on a molecular basis. That is the reaction of theChloramine-T with the pet stain would be incomplete, and hence the odorcontrol would be incomplete.

While Chloramine-T is the preferred compound for use in accordance withthis invention Chloramine-B may also be used, the formula forchloramines-B is as follows;

The use of wetting agents with various solutions in order to reducesurface tension is common in the prior art. For example wetting agentsare commonly added to herbical solutions to allow the herbicide to wetout plant leaves Likewise the use of wetting agents with insecticides iscommon.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a substance is addedto the Chloramine-T solution to reduce the surface tension of thesolution. As is discussed above Chloramine-T functions in part by thereaction of the Cl+ moiety with the odor causing molecule. In part, thisinvention is concerned with the fact that many substances which aresuitable for reducing the surface tension of the solution adverselyaffect the formation of the Cl+ moiety, from Chlormaine-T or degradesaid Cl+ moiety once it is formed.

Suitable substances which are useful in accordance with one embodimentof this invention for reducing the surface tension of the Chlormaine-Tsolution, are synthetic and natural wetting agents. Wetting agents aregenerally classified as cationic, anionic, amphoteric and nonionic.Because there are thousands of natural and synthetic wetting agents itis impossible to make generalizations as to which would be effective inthe composition of this invention. With this caveat it can be said thatgenerally the most preferred wetting agents for use in accordance withthis embodiment of this invention are anionic wetting agents, with thenext preferred class of wetting agent being a nonionic wetting agents.Amphoteric and cationic wetting agents are least preferred for use withthe wetting agent embodiment of this invention.

Regardless of the above comments satisfactory wetting agents may befound in any class of wetting agents.

While the applicant is not sure of all ramifications of how differentwetting agents degrade the Cl+ moiety it is felt that functional groupssuch as alkenes, alcohol, ketone, phenols as may be contained on thebase wetting agent molecule are particularly harmful to the Cl+ moiety.Further while it is impossible for the applicant to explore all theramifications thereof, impurities as may be contained in variouscommercially available wetting agents can play a significant part in thedegradation of the Cl+ moiety. Impurities which are known to facilitatethe degradation of the Cl+ moiety are aromatic and conjugated phenols.

The concentration of the wetting agent used in accordance with thisinvention can be from about 0.1 to 5%. A more preferred concentrationfor the wetting agent is from about 0.5 to about 1.5%. In order toachieve maximum efficiency in the odor control process the surfacetension of the solution must be reduced so that Chloramine-T can reachand react with the odor causing molecules.

A factor in choosing the concentration of the wetting agent is thedegree to which it foams. If undesirable foaming occurs anti foamers maybe added to the solution.

For stability and for optimum performance as an odor killing agent thepH of a solution of Chloramine-T should be between 6-14, with a morepreferred pH range being between 8-9.5 with a most preferred range beingbetween 8.5-9.

As is discussed above the pH range for Chloramine-T solutions for use inthis invention can be from about 6-14. Below a pH of 6 the Chloramine-Ttends to decompose due to the acidic nature of the medium. While thesolution of this invention are effective above a pH of 10.0 solutionshaving a pH of 10.0 can only be used for industrial applications, due totheir caustic nature.

Solutions for use in this invention exhibit excellent stability at a pHrange of 8-9.5. This stability is important in domestic applications ofthis invention where long shelf life is very desirable.

A 5% solution of Chloramine-T naturally buffers itself at a range ofabout 8.5-9.5. In order to maintain the Chloramine T solution inaccordance with these pH ranges it is preferred that the Chloramine-Tsolution be buffered. The buffering of the Chloramine-T solution furthercompensates for any change in pH that may result from the acidity of thewater which is used to make the solution, the conditions of application,the type of substrate, or industrial waste and the nature of the odorcausing molecule.

Buffering agents which are suitable for use in accordance with thisinvention are sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodiumcarbonate, potassium carbonate, acetate buffers (such as sodiumacetate), phosphate buffers (such as tri and di sodium phosphate andmixtures thereof, pH blended phosphates, sulfate buffers (such as di andtri sodium sulfate and mixtures thereof.

Because of price, ease of use, low toxicty and their effect on theenvironment, the above listed sodium and potassium bicarbonate arepreferred buffering agents for use in this invention. Buffered solutionsare advantageous in that the active ingredients of the odor controlsolution of this invention can be shipped in powdered form and mixed bythe consumer with no adverse effects.

The concentration of the buffer can be from 0% up to the limit ofsolubility. The preferred range for the concentration of the bufferingagent is from about 5% to about 200% of the Chloramine-T in solution. Amore preferred range is from about 5% to about 50% with a most preferredconcentration being 25-50%.

Chloramine-T has a limit of solubility of about 15% at room temperaturein water. However, for shipping in North America it is preferred thatthe concentration be 10% or less in order to prevent the Chloramine-Tfrom coming out of solution during transport.

For the industrial odor control it is preferred that the concentrationof Chloramine-T be about 5-10%. For residential consumer use theconcentration of Chloramine-T can be from about .0.25 to about 2.0%,with a more preferred range being from about 0.5 to about 1.0% percent,with the most preferred concentration being 0.75%. These lowerconcentrations keep the bleach like smell to a minimum but still givethe desired odor control.

The composition and process of this invention is suitable for use incontrolling the odor which is emitted from a wide variety of industrialsludge such as sewerage treatment sludges, paper making sludges, wastefrom animal grow outs, animal processing and animal habitats etc.

This invention is particularly suited into the treatment of the sludgeswhich is the byproduct of paper making and in particular the Kraft papermaking process.

Chloramine-T is the preferred source of the Cl+ moiety for use in odorcontrol in this invention. As is discussed above, another suitablesource the Cl+ moiety is Chloramine-B.

Paper mills are notorious for creating foul odors. In particular theKraft paper making process produces an odor which is often categorizedas a rotten egg smell. In the past society was tolerant of these odorsas society often took the position that the smell of a paper mill wasthe smell of money. The odor of a paper mill is primarily based onodorous mercaptans which the human nose can detect at concentrationswhich approach one part per billion. These paper mill odors canoriginate from the holding ponds which are used to hold the sludge whichis a byproduct of the paper making process, or from the sludge whichresults from the treatment of the paper mill stack gases or from solidpress. Odors originating with paper mills can often be detected byhumans at distances which can exceed twenty miles.

While in the past society was tolerant of these odors in recent timessociety has become much less tolerant. therefore it is important thatthese odors be eliminated.

The process and composition of this invention is particularly suited toeliminating paper mill odors due to the ability of Chloramine T to reactwith mercaptans.

In accordance with the broadest aspects of the paper mill sludge segmentof this invention paper mill sludge can be treated with solutions ofChloramine T.

The preferred solvent is water, however, other solvents can be used. Thesolution which are used to treat Kraft paper mill sludge can have aconcentration of from about 3 to about 5 percent with a more preferredrange being from about 5 to about 12 percent with a most preferredconcentration being 8 percent. All concentrations listed in thisapplication are by weight.

For treating paper mill sludge the preferred solution for use in thisinvention is an aqueous solution of Chloramine T which is buffered to apH of about 9.

While a wide variety of buffering agents can be used to preferredbuffering agent is potassium or sodium biocarbonite.

Further the solution of Chloramine T may incorporate a wetting agent, itis preferred that the solution incorporate a nonionic wetting agent at aconcentration of from about 0.1 to about 5 percent. The caveats andqualifications for wetting agents as are discussed above likewise applyfor the treatment of paper mill sludges. The preferred wetting agent foruse in conjunction with paper mill sludge treating compositions is ananionic wetting agent sold under the trademark Avanel S-74 by the BASFChemical Co. of Mt. Olive N.J. The applicant believes that Avanel S-74is Ethoxylated ROH sulfonate., where R is CH₃, CH₃ CH₂ or CH₃ CH₂ CH₂.

The preferred composition for use in treating paper mill sludges is inaccordance with Table 1.

TABLE I Chloramine T 8% Buffering Agent Sodium Bicarbonate 2% WettingAgent 0.5%

In addition to treating paper mill sludge with solutions of Chloramine Tin accordance with the above description these sludges can be treated bydusting the same with powdered Chloramine T. One skilled in the artrecognizes this dusting must be done in such a manner as to achieve theproper concentration of Chloramine T in the sludge. In the dustingaspect of this invention the Chloramine T goes into solution in theaqueous component of the sludge which is being treated.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated by the following Examples which arenot to be constructed as limiting the invention to their details.

1. After a fire the air transfer ducts in a building were contaminatedwith a strong smoke odor which was transferred to air moving through theduct work. The building occupants found the smell of the air to beobjectionable. The inside of the duct work was treated with an aqueoussolution containing 0.75% Chloramine-T and 0.5% of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The treatment was affected by atomizing the solutiondirectly into the cold air return ducts. The furnace fan was thenactivated in order to spread the atomized solution throughout the ductwork. In thirty minutes the smoke odor was eliminated.

2. The locker room, showers and workout areas of a health club smelledof human perspiration. These odors had proved to be impossible toeliminate using prior art odor control solutions. The solutions ofExample 1 was misted throughout the odorous area at a height of about 6ft. above floor level. The perspiration odors were eliminated in amatter of minutes.

3. The inside of a used automobile had a strong tobacco smoke odor as aresult of the previous owners smoking. After the automobile was tradedin, the used car department of the automobile dealer tried to eliminatethe smoke odor by spraying the inside of the automobile with an orangescented solution, in an attempt to mask the smoke odor. A subsequentowner of the automobile found the orange-tobacco smoke odor, whichpermeated the inside of the car to be objectionable. The whole inside ofthe car was sprayed with the solution of Example 1, as a result of thisspraying the orange-tobacco smoke odor on the inside of the car waseliminated in approximately thirty minutes.

4. The carpet in the salad bar area of a restaurant emitted a strong,old or rotten, food odor. The carpet was vacuumed and the solution ofExample 1 was applied to the area with a spray mist bottle. The odorswere eliminated and did not return.

5. The inside of a mobile home which had been left closed for aconsiderable period of time had a stale odor. The inside of the mobilehome was sprayed with the solution of Example 1. The stale smell wastotally eliminated in about one hour.

6. A carpet cleaning company encountered a problem piece of carpet whichexhibited the strong smell of cat urine. The carpet was sprayed with thesolution of Example 1 and allowed to sit. The carpet was then cleanedand sprayed again with the solution of Example 1. The cat urine odor waseliminated and it did not return.

7. A skunk entered a residential basement and contaminated a basementand the furniture therein. The entire basement and the furniture wassprayed with the composition of Example 1. After thirty minutes the odorwas gone.

8. Camping bedding gear was accidentally contaminated with motor oil.The bedding gear was washed however after washing the strong smell ofmotor oil persisted. The bedding gear was sprayed with the solution ofExample 1. After approximately twenty minutes the motor oil smell wasgone.

9. A zoo at a major city suffered major fire damage to a pavilion and anadjacent lodge. The adjacent areas were permeated with smoke andexhibited a strong smoke odor. The adjacent area including the floors,walls ceilings, furniture etc were sprayed with the composition ofExample 1, except that the concentration of Chloramine-T was 1.25% andthe concentration of the wetting agent was 1.00%. After a period of onehour the smoke odor was gone.

10. A paper mill press full of sludge was sprayed with 10 gallons of asolution having the following composition.

Chloramine T −8%

Sodium Bicarbonate 1.5%

Avanel S-74 0.5%

Prior to spraying, the area was deemed to be a “high sulfide day” by anexperienced workman. After spraying, the area was deemed to be a “verylow sulfide day”.

11. A carpet sample with synthetic fibers was sprayed with red fox urinewhich is sold by the Wildlife Research Center of Anaka, Minn. The urineis very pungent and is normally used to mask human odors in hunting andtrapping endeavors. After spraying with the red fox urine the carpetsample exhibited a strong offensive odor. The sample was they sprayedwith a water solution of 0.80% Chloramine T and 0.03% of the abovedescribed Avanel S-74 anionic wetting agent. The solution was bufferedwith 0.118% sodium bicarbonate. The solution was then adjusted to a pHof 6.0 with a dilute solution of acetic acid. Within one minute oftreating the carpet sample the offensive odor of the red fox urine wasmitigated and the odor essentially eliminated over the next 24 hrs. andremained eliminated after five days.

12. A carpet sample with synthetic fibers was sprayed with red fox urineis sold by the Wildlife Research Center of Anaka, Minn. The urine isvery pungent and is normally used to mask human odors in hunting andtrapping endeavors.

After spraying with the red fox urine the carpet sample exhibited astrong offensive odor. The sample was then sprayed with a water solutionof 0.80% Chloramine T and 0.03% of the above discarded Avanel S-74anionic wetting agent. The solution was buffered with 0.118% to sodiumbicarbonate. The solution was then adjusted to a pH of 11.3 with adilute solution of sodium hydroxide. Within one minute of treating thecarpet sample the offensive odor of the red fox urine was mitigated andthe odor essentially eliminated over the next 24 hrs and remainedeliminated after five days.

In summary, the date of Examples 1 through 12 demonstrates that by useof the odor control composition and process of the subject invention,many common odors can be eliminated.

The foregoing constitutes a description of various features of apreferred embodiment. Many changes to the preferred embodiment arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Therefore, the scope of this invention should be determined withreference not to the preferred embodiment but to the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for controlling odor which is beingemitted by a material which incorporates an odorous substance whichcomprises the steps of: applying a solution containing an effectiveamount of Chloramine-T to the material wherein the solution has a pH offrom about 6 to about
 14. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the solutionfurther incorporates an effective amount of a wetting agent whichessentially does not react with Cloramine-T.
 3. The process of claim 1wherein the concentration of the Chloramine-T is from about 0.5 to about10 weight percent.
 4. The process of claim 2 wherein the concentrationof Chloramine-T is from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent.
 5. Theprocess of claim 2 wherein the wetting agent is a anionic or nonionicwetting agent.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the solution isbuffered to a pH of from about 8 to about 9.5.
 7. The process of claim 2wherein the solution is buffered to a pH of from about 8 to about 9.5.8. The process of claim 3 wherein the solution is buffered with sodiumbicarbonate to a pH of from about 8 to about 9.5.
 9. The process ofclaim 4 wherein the solution is buffered with sodium bicarbonate. 10.The process of claim 5 wherein the solution is buffered with sodiumbiocarbonate.
 11. The process of claim 6 wherein the concentration ofChloramine-T is from about 0.5 to about 1.0%.
 12. The process of claim 7wherein the concentration of Chloramine T is from about 0.5 to about1.0%.
 13. The process of claim 8 wherein the concentration of ChloramineT is from about 0.5 to about 1.0%.
 14. The process of claim 9 whereinthe concentration of Chloramine-T is from about 0.5 to about 1.0%. 15.The process of claim 10 wherein the concentration of Chloramine T isfrom about 0.5 to about 1.0%.